Interviewing for Jobs

PET 489 Student Teaching SeminarCollege of Physical Activity & Sport Sciences2012 Fall Semester

Lesson Purpose

To introduce you to the job interview context

To provide you with practical tips for performing effectively in a job interview

To get you started on your mock job interview assignment

The Ideal Job is Out There I (Gallagher, 2008)

Get Organized Teaching philosophy Cover letter/resume Reference list College transcripts &

teaching credentials Teaching portfolio

Methods of Job Search Career services School directories Newsletters Job fairs/conferences Display notices Newspapers/journals Internet websites Alumni/networking Student teaching Cold-calling

The Ideal Job is Out There II (Gallagher, 2008)

Record Keeping Contact information Copies of materials sent Copies of applications Responses received Dates of interview Interview notes Names & dates of

thank-you notes/follow-up letters

Following-up Follow-up phone calls Thank you notes!!! Update information with

West Virginia University

Getting Your Dream Job (Macintyre, 2006)

Determine Your Beliefs

Communicate!!!

Pizzazz in Paperwork

Respect the Process

Attitude is Everything

Do Your Homework

Make References Easy

Dress for Success

Look in Right Places

Be Good Role Model

Before the Interview

Research employer

Know the position

Self-reflection

Update your resume

Prepare portfolio

Practice, practice

Your questions?

Getting there on time

Dress for success

Dress for Success Tips

Business suits

Dress shirts

Ties

Shoes Socks & hosiery

Personal hygiene

Accessories

Always Dress Conservatively!!!

Schools are by nature very conservative places

If you have to ask whether or not it is appropriate to wear a particular outfit…

DON’T WEAR IT!!!

Interview – “On Stage”

Greeting

Introduction

Employer questions Closed-ended questions Open-ended questions Behavioral based questions

Your questions

Closing

Follow-up? Timeline for decision?

Sample Mock Job Interview

Mock job interview evaluation

Mock job interview video

Practice using evaluation form Strength Limitation Suggestions

Closed-ended Questions

Used to verify information from job application and resume

Asked early in the job interview – easy to respond

Can help put the candidate at ease – most interviewers will want you to be successful

Open-Ended Questions

Used to learn more about your personal qualities – enthusiasm, communication skills, knowledge, enjoyment of children

Anticipate the following questions Tell me a little bit more about yourself? Strengths and weaknesses? Teaching philosophy? Curricular models and teaching methods

used? Why should I hire you?

Sample Open-Ended Questions About Teaching

Why did you decide to become a teacher?

If I were your principal and we were setting goals for next year, what would they be?

How do you encourage students to learn?

What is the role of the principal in a school?

If you could create the ideal school, what would it look like?

How do you establish authority or discipline in the classroom?

See pages 18-19 in your text for additional sample administrator interview questions

Behavioral-based Questions

Used to determine how you responded to specific situations – past performance is the best indicator of future performance

Use PAR or SAR technique when responding to behavioral-based questions Problem or situation Actions taken Results

▪ What did you learn from that situation?▪ How would you handle a similar situation in the future?

See the Behavioral-based Interview Questions handout for sample questions

Questions to Ask of Employers

Questions should compliment your research about the employerWrite questions ahead of timeAvoid inappropriate questions!!!

See the Interviewing Issues handout for sample questionsAdministrative issuesCurriculum & instruction issuesContinuing education issuesPerformance assessmentExtracurricular expectations

Sample Candidate Questions for School Administrators

What is the student/teacher ratio in your district?

What procedures are followed and used for discipline problems?

Are parents involved in school activities and what do they typically expect of teachers?

What are students like who attend this school?

How does administration support teacher improvement?

Does the district support attendance at special seminars or summer programs?

See page 22 in your text for additional sample teacher candidate interview questions

Handling Illegal Questions What is an illegal question?

Race Religion Gender Sexual preference Height/weight Age Arrest/conviction records National origin/citizenship Military record Disability Financial status Pregnancy/childbirth

How should I respond if asked an illegal question? You can answer the question You can refuse to answer the question You can respond based on the intent behind the question

After the Interview

Exit completely

Write a thank you note – What made you feel good about the interview?

What questions do you still have?

Critique your own performance

Follow-up as needed

Take Home Messages

Good social skillsEye contact, hand shake,

personable, nervous habits

Professional appearanceProper business attire

Ability to communicateAppropriate rate of speechClear explanations

Complete responses to difficult questions

Thoughtful questions from candidate

Overall impression of competencePlanning, managing,

teaching, assessing

Caring for childrenCommitment to student

learning

Mock Job Interview

Your mock job interviews will be schedule by individual appointment

Mock job interview is worth 25 points Application materials Professional appearance Interest and enthusiasm Relaxed and confident Eye contact Complete answers Quality of speaking Skills, abilities, and

experience Ask appropriate questions Overall assessment

Evaluation criteria Unsatisfactory Needs improvement Satisfactory Very good Excellent